The fundamental aspects of chess were in full force for the SWR High School students who took part in the ongoing library chess tournament.

Started last year by librarian Kristine Hanson, the activity became more popular this year with new high quality, regulation sets being used by the 29 students who signed up for the tournament.

“We started this as a way to give students an opportunity to meet different opponents and test their skills,” said Hanson. “There have been times when we have had seven simultaneous games in progress.”

Acquiring skills from strategic thinking, problem-solving, improved concentration, memorization and self-motivation, the students were eager to spend their free periods competing with one another.

Semifinalists were junior Jacob Rassner and freshman Adam Gawreluk. In the final game, Keyi Chen prevailed over fellow senior Conor McAuliffe and received a 3-D printed chess king with SWR engraved on the bottom.